France Telecom SA (FTE) is having plans to separate the functions of chairman and chief executive officer effective March 1, 2010. The company's chairman and chief executive officer Didier Lombard has decided to submit a proposal to the board on February 24. If the board accepts, Didier Lombard, as chairman, will focus on the company's strategic and technological orientations. Lombard was appointed chairman and chief executive officer on February 27, 2005 and is now responsible for the general management of France Telecom. Lombard joined the Group in 2003 as executive senior vice resident and was in charge of Technologies, Strategic Partnerships and New Usages for France Telecom. He is also a director at Thomson and Thales and a member of the supervisory board at Radiall and ST Microelectronics. Lombard has been reportedly under pressure after a series of suicides at the former state monopoly and the resulting political and media reactions. Stephane Richard, currently the chief executive officer delegate, will become chief executive officer, who will be in charge of the Group's operations. The Paris, France-based telecommunications company noted that Richard will be responsible for the deployment of new industrial project as well as new social contract, the details of which will be presented in the coming weeks. Richard was appointed as chief executive officer delegate effective January 1, 2010 and is in charge of the company's operations in France and the Home line of business. He was a board member at France Télécom SA, UGC SA and Nexity SA. Most recently, he was holding a French finance ministry job. FTE closed Monday's regular trading at $23.65, up $0.59 or 2.56%, on a volume of 479 thousand shares.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.